Alberta AIT

Overview

Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) runs the exams for apprentices and certified tradespeople in Alberta. There is no single AIT exam. The exam you write depends on where you are in your trade: starting out, moving through apprenticeship periods, or applying for certification as an experienced worker.

This page covers the exam types in the Alberta Tradesecrets site. Red Seal exams are covered separately under the Red Seal programme.

Exam types

Alberta lists these exam types:

• Entrance exam. For people who do not meet the high school entrance requirements for their trade.

• Apprenticeship period exam. A theory exam at the end of each period of classroom instruction, usually written at your school. Some trades also have practical exams in certain periods.

• Supplemental exam. A free rewrite if you passed your course but failed the period exam. AIT schedules it for you.

• Challenge exam. Lets a registered apprentice skip classroom instruction for a period by passing the period exam.

• Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) exam. Lets you challenge a period exam for credit before you register as an apprentice.

• Red Seal exam. The interprovincial exam, written by apprentices at their school after the final period exam, or applied for at an AIT office by certified journeypersons without the Red Seal.

• Trades Qualifier exam. For experienced workers seeking certification without an Alberta apprenticeship.

Entrance exam

You may need it if you did not complete the required high school courses, or if you studied outside Alberta and do not have a Canadian high school transcript or an education assessment from IQAS or WES. The exam has 100 multiple-choice questions in Math, English and sometimes Science, with a 3-hour limit and a 70% pass mark. As listed on the official site in 2026, the fee is $150. You cannot register for classroom instruction until you pass.

Challenge exam for registered apprentices

A sponsored apprentice needs a signed letter from the sponsor recommending the challenge, uploaded to the MyTradesecrets account. An unsponsored apprentice sends a record book showing the required work experience with a valid previous sponsor and contacts an AIT office. If approved, you pay a fee (listed on the official site in 2026 as $150), plus the practical exam fee if your trade has one; practical exam fees vary by trade.

The pass mark is 70%. After a first fail you may request a second attempt. After a second fail you may request a third only if you scored 60% or more on an earlier attempt and complete an AIT Training Plan. After a third fail you must attend classroom instruction. You also cannot skip every period, because at least one period of classroom instruction is required.

Trades Qualifier exam

Every Trades Qualifier candidate must pass a theory exam with at least 70%. Some trades also need a practical exam with a 70% pass mark, and the fee varies by trade. The first theory attempt is included in the application fee. All exams and program requirements must be finished within 18 months of application approval. Most exams are in English; Red Seal exams are available in English or French.

If you fail the second attempt with under 70%, the application is cancelled and you must reapply with a Training Plan. If your mark is between 60% and 69%, you may submit a Training Plan within 30 days of your result letter and, if approved, pay the rewrite fee for a third attempt. The exam page does not state the rewrite fee, so check the current amount with AIT.

Marking and results

The Alberta pages state a 70% pass mark for entrance, challenge and Trades Qualifier theory and practical exams. For apprenticeship period exams, contact your school for details.

How to apply

Most non-period exams are booked online through a MyTradesecrets account after AIT approves your request.

• You get an email telling you to log in and book.

• You have 21 days after approval to book, or the request is cancelled.

• The earliest exam date is 14 days after approval and the latest is 90 days after approval.

• You can reschedule online up to 2 times.

Apprenticeship period exams are not booked online; your school gives you the date and time. Exams needing special accommodation are scheduled by AIT.

Preparation tips

• Download the entrance exam study guide and the study resources for your trade from Tradesecrets.

• Bring a government photo ID or a laminated training provider card with photo, an HB pencil, an eraser and a clear water bottle. Calculators are supplied. Phones and other electronics, pens, notes, textbooks and bags are not allowed.

• If you need an interpreter or reader, get approval from AIT first. You pay their cost, and they cannot know your trade.